The status of beekeeping practices and honey production system in Ethiopia-a review

  Hailemichael Tsehaye Bahita

In Ethiopia beekeeping has started in ancient time and gifted various bee races and also adopted to different agro-ecological zones except desert part of Ethiopia. The objective of this review is reviewing practices of beekeeping, types of beehive and honey production system in Ethiopia. The purpose of Beekeeping practices is mainly for honey and wax production and as source of foreign currency to Ethiopian communities. Honey production system is mainly classified in to traditional, intermediate and modern. A small quantity of honey is consumed by Ethiopians as tej which is very popular in Ethiopia. Practice of beekeeping is hindmost in traditional materials and traditional management system. Main factor for production of honey is based on sustainability of honey bees in hives due to difference in their race and construction of their nests. Honeybee plays a significant role in the economy of Ethiopia through pollination services that affect seed production in agricultural crops. A good beekeeping area is the one in which nectar and pollen plants grow abundantly and with a relatively long blooming season therefore Ethiopia is among the most potential of honey bee flora but their source is differ from plant to plant. Honey production constraint also extends in socio-economic conditions, cultural practices, climate and behaviors of the bees. These create deforestation, soil erosion and irreversible ecological degradation. Quality standard of Ethiopian honey is low as a result of many poor post-harvest treatments like; poor containers, storing room conditions, and many other ingredients mixed in are among some to mention. Ethiopian bee keepers required massive training how to harvest, handle, transport and storing of honey and other hive products.

Keywords- beekeeping, traditional, hives, honey and beeswax

Unique Identification Number - IJEDR1802105
Page Number(s) - 581-585
Pubished in - Volume 6 | Issue 2 | June 2018
DOI (Digital Object Identifier) -   
Publisher - IJEDR (ISSN - 2321-9939)

  Hailemichael Tsehaye Bahita,   "The status of beekeeping practices and honey production system in Ethiopia-a review", International Journal of Engineering Development and Research (IJEDR), ISSN:2321-9939, Volume.6, Issue 2, pp.581-585, June 2018, Available at :http://www.ijedr.org/papers/IJEDR1802105.pdf